The next morning didn't bring rest.
It brought orders.
Adrian barely had time to process the previous day's training before Riven called everyone into the main hall. The atmosphere was tense, heavier than usual, like something was already wrong.
Adrian stood beside Kai, arms crossed, trying to ignore the low pulse of the mark on his wrist.
"…What now?" he muttered.
Kai didn't answer.
At the front of the room, Riven stood over a large illuminated map. Several points glowed faintly across it—some dim, some flickering violently.
Riven didn't waste time.
"We've got movement."
The room fell silent.
"Harbinger activity has increased outside the Domain," he continued. "Not random attacks. Coordinated."
Adrian frowned.
"…That's new."
Riven nodded slightly.
"They're gathering."
A chill ran down Adrian's spine.
"For what?"
Riven's eyes shifted—landing directly on him.
"You."
Silence.
Adrian let out a breath.
"…Of course."
Kai stepped forward slightly.
"Where?"
Riven tapped one of the glowing points on the map.
"A nearby district. Energy spikes started last night."
The light flickered erratically.
"Civilians?" one of the hunters asked.
Riven's voice hardened.
"Still inside."
Adrian's expression changed immediately.
"…Then we don't have time."
Riven looked at him.
"No. We don't."
A pause.
Then—
"You're coming."
Adrian blinked.
"…Wait, what?"
Kai's gaze sharpened.
"That's not a good idea."
Riven didn't look at him.
"He passed the test."
Kai's voice dropped.
"That doesn't mean he's ready for the field."
Riven finally turned.
"It means he's the reason they're moving."
Silence.
Kai didn't respond.
Because again—
He wasn't wrong.
Adrian stepped forward.
"I'm going."
Kai looked at him.
"…Adrian."
"I'm not staying behind while people get hurt because of me," Adrian said firmly.
The mark pulsed faintly.
Agreeing.
Riven smirked slightly.
"Good. Then gear up."
---
Outside the Domain
The air outside felt different.
Heavier.
Unstable.
Adrian stepped out alongside the team, his eyes scanning the city beyond. The world looked normal at first glance—buildings, streets, distant movement—but beneath it…
He could feel it.
Something wrong.
"…This is where normal people live?" Adrian asked quietly.
Riven glanced at him.
"You'd be surprised how much they don't see."
Kai walked beside Adrian.
"Stay focused."
Adrian nodded.
"…I will."
But his chest felt tight.
Because for the first time—
This wasn't training.
This was real.
---
The Mission Zone
They arrived quickly.
Too quickly.
The moment they stepped into the district—
Adrian felt it.
A sharp pull in his chest.
The mark flared.
"…They're here," he whispered.
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"I know."
The streets were empty.
Silent.
Too silent.
Doors left open.
Lights flickering.
Like people had just… vanished.
"…This isn't good," one of the hunters muttered.
Riven raised a hand.
"Spread out. Stay in pairs."
The team moved instantly.
Kai grabbed Adrian's arm lightly before he could step away.
"You're with me."
Adrian didn't argue.
"…Obviously."
They moved deeper into the street.
Each step felt heavier.
The shadows around them stretched unnaturally.
Twisting.
Watching.
Adrian's breathing slowed.
"…Something's wrong."
Kai's voice was low.
"Stay alert."
A sound echoed in the distance.
Not loud.
But wrong.
Like something dragging across concrete.
Adrian froze.
"…You heard that?"
Kai nodded.
Before they could move—
The shadows shifted.
Then—
Figures emerged.
Not three.
Not five.
Dozens.
Harbingers.
Adrian's eyes widened.
"…That's not possible."
Kai's expression darkened.
"…They're multiplying."
Riven's voice echoed through the comms.
"All units—engage!"
The battle erupted instantly.
---
First Field Battle
Hunters moved fast.
Precise.
Coordinated.
But the Harbingers—
They weren't attacking like before.
They were circling.
Herding.
Adrian felt it immediately.
"…They're not trying to kill us."
Kai followed his gaze.
"They're positioning."
"For what?" Adrian asked.
Then—
He felt it.
The pull.
Stronger than ever.
The mark burned.
"…No…"
The Harbingers stopped.
All at once.
Their glowing eyes turned—
Toward him.
Every single one.
Adrian's breath caught.
"…They're here for me."
The voice whispered again.
Closer.
Clearer.
"…Come…"
The shadows around him stirred.
"…You belong here…"
Adrian clenched his fists.
"No."
Kai stepped in front of him.
"You're not going anywhere."
The Harbingers moved.
Not attacking.
Advancing.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Like closing a circle.
Riven shouted from the side.
"They're isolating him!"
Kai's shadows surged outward, pushing them back.
"Stay behind me!"
Adrian shook his head.
"No."
Kai turned sharply.
"Adrian—"
"I can feel it," Adrian said.
His voice was tight.
"…They're connected."
The mark pulsed wildly.
"They're calling me."
Kai stepped closer.
"Then ignore it."
Adrian laughed softly.
"…That's getting harder."
The shadows around him flickered.
Unstable.
"…Just once…"
The voice whispered.
"…Answer…"
Adrian's vision blurred.
"…No…"
The pressure built.
Stronger.
Heavier.
Pulling him forward.
"Kai…"
Kai grabbed his arm.
"Stay with me."
Adrian's breathing shook.
"I'm trying—!"
The Harbingers moved again.
Faster now.
Closing in.
Riven shouted.
"We're running out of time!"
Adrian clenched his jaw.
"…I have to do something."
Kai's voice hardened.
"Not like this."
Adrian looked at him.
"…Then trust me."
Kai froze.
"…What?"
Adrian's eyes were clear.
Focused.
Determined.
"I won't lose control."
The mark pulsed.
As if challenging that statement.
Kai hesitated.
Just for a moment.
Then—
He let go.
"…Don't make me regret it."
Adrian nodded.
"I won't."
He stepped forward.
Alone.
The Harbingers stopped.
Watching.
Waiting.
Adrian raised his hand.
The shadows responded.
Faster.
Stronger.
But this time—
Controlled.
"I'm not yours," Adrian said quietly.
The shadows surged outward—
Not wildly.
Not violently.
But precisely.
They struck—
Pushing the Harbingers back.
Breaking their formation.
Creating space.
The circle shattered.
Riven's eyes widened slightly.
"…He did it."
Kai didn't speak.
He was watching Adrian.
Carefully.
Because even now—
Even as Adrian stood strong—
The mark on his wrist still glowed.
Still pulsed.
Still waited.
And deep within—
The voice whispered again.
"…Not yet…"